The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a firm stance against recognizing the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party, a decision rooted deeply in a critical Supreme Court judgment. This development sends a clear warning to other political parties grappling with internal strife, emphasizing the electoral body’s commitment to upholding judicial pronouncements and democratic standards. The controversy centers on a leadership tussle that has plagued the Labour Party for an extended period, leading to a series of legal challenges and a direct impact on the party’s ability to field candidates in upcoming elections, particularly the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls.
What is the core issue of the Labour Party crisis? The fundamental problem stems from a Supreme Court ruling on April 4, 2025, which unequivocally declared that the tenure of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired. This landmark judgment set a precedent for how INEC perceives the legitimacy of party leadership, thereby influencing its decisions regarding official recognition and electoral processes.
Despite this definitive pronouncement from the Apex Court, the Abure-led faction proceeded to conduct primaries for the August 16, 2025, bye-election nationwide and the FCT Area Council Election. This action directly contradicted the Supreme Court’s position, creating a direct conflict with INEC’s mandate to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional provisions governing political parties.
INEC’s position was further complicated when the Abure faction sought and obtained an ex parte order compelling the commission to upload its candidates. However, the commission maintained that it would not comply with this interim order, which was granted by the FCT High Court in Life Camp, Abuja, on December 16, 2025. The electoral body highlighted that this interim order subsequently lapsed on December 23, 2025, without an extension, leaving no subsisting court order for INEC to act upon.
How does INEC verify political party leadership? The answer is that INEC relies on judicial pronouncements and established legal frameworks, such as the Electoral Act and the Constitution, to verify the legitimate leadership of political parties. When a Supreme Court judgment clarifies the tenure of a party’s executive, INEC is bound to uphold that ruling in its dealings with the party, including the recognition of its candidates for elections.
This ongoing dispute escalated on January 5, 2026, when supporters of the Labour Party protested at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja. Their grievances revolved around the exclusion of their candidates for the FCT Area Council Election, scheduled for February 21, 2026, and a demand for an access code to upload their candidates. INEC reiterated its stance, pointing to the prolonged internal leadership disputes since 2024 and the decisive Supreme Court judgment in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on April 4, 2025.
Why is the Supreme Court ruling critical for the Labour Party? The Supreme Court’s decision is paramount because it is the highest court in the land, and its judgments are final and binding. Its declaration that Abure’s tenure had expired fundamentally altered the legal basis for his faction’s claim to leadership, making it challenging for INEC to recognize any actions taken under that disputed authority.
Following the Supreme Court’s judgment, the Abure-led faction also instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025 – Labour Party v. INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja. This suit challenged INEC’s decision to exclude it from participating in the bye-election. However, the judgment delivered on August 15, 2025, dismissed the suit, further enforcing the Supreme Court’s position that Barrister Julius Abure was no longer recognized as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
The Labour Party then filed multiple suits against INEC in different courts, all seeking orders to compel INEC to grant access codes for the upload of its candidates for the FCT Area Council Election. These legal battles included cases before the Nasarawa State High Court, the Federal High Court Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2110/2025), and the FCT High Court, Jabi Division (Suit No. CV/4792/2025), with another suit (No. CV/4930/2025) filed before the FCT High Court, Life Camp Division.
INEC has consistently filed its defense, challenging the competence of these suits and the jurisdiction of the courts, especially after the interim order from the FCT High Court lapsed without extension. The commission emphasized that with no subsisting court order, it would continue to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and await the final determination of the pending cases.
This complex legal and political landscape underscores the critical role of judicial decisions in shaping the democratic process in Nigeria. INEC maintains its unwavering commitment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and its Regulations and Guidelines. The commission will continue to hold political parties accountable to democratic standards and the Rule of Law in the conduct of their internal affairs, particularly regarding the Labour Party’s leadership dispute.
The ongoing Labour Party leadership dispute highlights the necessity for internal party democracy and adherence to legal frameworks, crucial for maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. INEC’s refusal to recognize the Abure-led faction is a direct consequence of a binding Supreme Court judgment, reinforcing the principle that all political entities must operate within the confines of established law and judicial directives concerning their leadership structures.
